Mental health policy and practice across Europe: an overview

258 Mental health policy and practice
societies, the lower the level of per capita alcohol consumption, the lower the
level of the proportion of heavy drinkers (see Figure 11.4) and the lower the
level of death from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (see Figure 11.5).
When alcohol consumption levels increase in any given society there tends to
be an increase in the prevalence of heavy drinkers, defined in terms of a high
annual alcohol intake. For example, in Finland, following liberalization of the
Figure 11.4
regions
The proportion of heavy drinkers by alcohol consumption: eight English
Source: Academy of Medical Sciences (2004)
Figure 11.5
countries
Death from liver disease by per capita alcohol consumption in 15 European
Source: Ramstedt (2001)